Ella Raye Insco

October 10, 1927 - December 23, 2021
Ella Raye Insco

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Ella Raye Insco, age 94 of Wilmington, NC passed from this life on Thursday, December 23, 2021.

She was born in Supply NC on October 10, 1927 and was the daughter of the late Elijah Rouark Clemmons and Linnie Mae Clemmons Hewett.

She was preceded in death by her husband William Everett Insco, Sr., six sisters, Doris Hewett Ward, Helen Ann Hewett, Viola Hewett, Mattie Fulford, Euzenia Lewis, Ruby Clemmons and mother-in-law, Hattie Insco.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Insco Cavenaugh and husband Jeff; two sons, William Everett “Billy” Insco, Jr. and wife Melissa, Michael Ray Insco and wife Michelle; five grandchildren, April Cavenaugh Bradshaw (David), Brent Cavenaugh, Jonathon Cavenaugh, Brantley Insco and Cara Insco; four great grandchildren, Mason Cavenaugh, Ella Cavenaugh, Adriana Bingham and Erin Sims; a special cousin, William J. “Billy” Shaw, Jr.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Alton and Yvonne Insco; several nieces, nephews and cousins that she dearly loved and her beloved furbaby “Puddin”.

She loved her family. She was “meme” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved them “to the moon and back” she would say along with a hug. She loved her Lord and Savior. Raye taught Sunday School at Winter Park Baptist Church in the 1960’s and later became a longtime member of Lake Forest Baptist Church as well as a member of the Cape Fear Chapter No.346 Order of the Eastern Star.

Raye was married to the love of her life for 64 years. Together they loved spending time with their children at their “West Onslow Beach” (Topsail Island) summer home. The family loved fishing, crabbing and just enjoyed the beach life with friends and relatives.

She was an inspector for Snyder General and retired in 1991 when the plant closed. She then went to Cape Fear Community College, became a CNA and worked doing private duty nursing.

Raye and Bill enjoyed traveling the US and Canada with Doris, Frank, Alton, Yvonne, Loney Mae and Alberti camping in their motorhomes. They had many adventures together.

Raye will be best remembered for her love of gardening (she had a green thumb and could grow anything), her love for birds, the best country cooking imaginable, but most of all, her kind heart.

A funeral service will be held 11 am Monday, December 27, 2021 at the Wilmington Funeral Chapel led by Rev. Bert Venzia. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service beginning at 10 am. Burial will be in Oleander Memorial Gardens 306 Bradley Drive Wilmington, NC.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Raye with a memorial gift to Shriners Hospitals for Children, PO Box 12829, New Bern, NC 28561 or Lake Forest Baptist Church, 1626 Lake Branch Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or Berry College Eagles-Berry College Advancement Office, P.O. Box 490069, Mount Berry, GA 30149 in support of the Bald Eagles she loved watching.

Share memories and condolences with the family by visiting the “Condolence” tab.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099.

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  • December 25, 2021
    Gail DuVall says:
    I only knew her through Barbara, but how I loved seeing pictures of Mama Raye! We will all miss her but know she is now with the Lord. God bless this family.

  • December 25, 2021
    Tina says:
    To Barbara and family,I am so very sorry for your loss. Barbara, I felt like I knew your mom through your posts and pictures! A very special and beautiful lady!

  • December 25, 2021
    Janice W Savage says:
    We all enjoyed the many postings of "Mama". We will miss her but think of how she is rejoicing in heaven with her loved ones. We will all get to meet her someday! I look forward to that. Prayers and love to the family.

  • December 26, 2021
    Deborah Teague Fizer says:
    It is without a doubt, Mrs. Insco is one of those wonderful, loving women who make the world a better place just because she was in it . Her sweet kind nature, her hug that comforted all of us, as if we were one of her own. She welcomed everyone of us with open arms. Mrs. Insco was one of a kind, and was loved by so many. She will be missed so much more than I could possibly articulate with words . What a blessing in our lives to have had the privelige of knowing her and having her in our lives. I hope her precious memories bring peace and comfort to all of you during this difficult time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  • December 26, 2021
    Gary English and Dot English says:
    May the peace of our Lord and Savior comfort you during this time of grief ... and may He give you a glimpse of Ms. Raye rejoicing now in His glory ...